Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-07-22

1
been such delight to crafty! And
again. wherein would lie either pro-
prieiy or justice in advising retrench-
ment on her part, while still maintain
ing the role of the generous, open-han-
ded member of the club, rs the cour-
tesies of the position demanded?
1t was true they never had given IA
very large party at their house, but
there had been repeated gatherings
which in connection with those outside
with the necessary accompaniment of
dress, flowers and carriage hire, had
drained the family purse To an I'M
warrantably low state.
And so it came to pass that at the
Christmas season which was right up
on them. there were several outlying
bills with an ugly showing of figures
representing an amount of indebted
ness considerably in excess of John
Chisholm power TO cancel
And now, with payments in arrers
and no prospect of bettering matters
except through process OF trying
economy. this beloved wife and social
favorite had set her heart on mourning
fresh expenses. it made her husband
fairly shudder to contemplate.
She had unfolded her cherished plan
as they sat at the breakfast table, and
without noticing her husband silence
had enlarged on the pleasure she anti
cipated in giving brilliant party on
Christmas night. She looked up in
surprise when he said rather soberly:
I'VE will talk it over tonight, Helen;
in the meantime you'd better do moth
ing about it," But she answered ra-
dainty:
"Oh, you'll approve every detail |
have planned, | am sure You will. I've
been thinking of it for weeks and |
must have the cards out at once, so
don't say word. Jack boy!'
Never before had John Chisholm felt
so thoroughly miserable on leaving
home for his bus ness rs he did that
morning, and events seemed to conspire
to increase rather than ease hs mental
disquetude.
AT market he mel his minister DR..
Price, and the provision dealer was
half banteringly advising the reverend
gentleman to engage his Christmas
turkey. 1t was only two weeks. he ar
gued, before the day would arrive, and
turkeys might be scarce by that time.
The answer of the good man smote
John Chisholm to the heart.
II expect no turkey dinners this year, y
he said; IAN inconvenient expense in
the way of sickness had to be met, and
now that can say | owe no man any
thing at the close of the year-except
to love all-there is no money left for
luXuries. But them he added cheerily.
IL thank God we are all well and need
no margin for luXuries.
Then, on leaving the market. Mr..
Chisholm encountered the nearest re-
lative he had in the world, Uncle limo
thy Chisholm, luckLcss old man w no
was forever be wall ne h hard, unjust
fate. For Uncle Timothy declared and
believed himself the rightful owner of
certain plots of land within the city
limits. which, had they really been his
property would have constituted him
rich man forthwith. But Uncle
Ii notify and his claims had become
sort of forlorn jest. although his
nephew treated him kindly and fire.
quently invited him to dinner of a
Sunday. when this unacknowledged
claims we sure to furnish the doleful
topic of conversation
THIS morning Uncle Timothy was in
a particularly uncomfortable frame of
mind, for LAWYER who had been look
ing into his case had reported unfavor-
ably as to the results of his investiga-
tons, and where would the money
come from to paw the lawyer?
Arrived at the Office he was not
cheered by finding that the prospect
was he would be alone for several
hours, and a meeting of the directors
was to be held that day. All the NOR
ming the figures of the great ledger
seemed burn ne themselves into the
treasurer's brain, and the haunting
score of those unpaid bills kept parad-
ing before his excited vision. Then
the probable cost of such a reception
as his w fe was bent on giving caused
rapid succession of side calculations
not consoling to his perturbsd mind.
But this was not the worst of it.
For more dreadful and distracting
than all else, came the haunting de-
mon of a terrible suggestion-not pre-
scnting itself for tn, first time - which
kept lodging in and out of his tired
brain and dancing before his troubled
eyes.
1t was soon after lunch that. still
alone in the office, he suddenly stopped